J-1 Academic Training

• You must have completed at least one semester in J-1 status.
• If you have used any AT at a prior school or prior degree level, that amount is subtracted from your allowable total. (See "Duration of AT" below.)
• AT can be used before (pre-completion) or after the completion of program of study (post-completion).
  • Pre-completion AT can be part-time (maximum of 20 hours per week) during the fall and spring semesters or full-time in the summer.
  • Post-completion AT must be a minimum of 20 hours per week.
  • Full-time Pre-completion AT may be available for graduate students who have advanced to Ph.D candidacy and for whom the work is integral to the completion of their academic degree.
• Because proof of employment or work is a required part of the application process, J-1 students must have a job offer in hand BEFORE the completion of study (and at the time of the AT application.)
• Work must be primarily in-person. J-1s on Academic Training may work remotely no more than 40% of the time (e.g., two days out of five) 
• AT can be used for paid or unpaid internships or work experience directly related to the J-1 program of study. If post-completion AT is unpaid, the student must submit a letter from the employer AND provide proof of financial support in the amount of $2,400/month* (undergraduate students) or $2,800/month* (graduate students) for living expenses during the training period.
• AT allows for more than one position at a time, as long as all are related to the J-1 student's field of study. But, you must file a separate AT request for EACH and EVERY position. If changing employers while on post-completion AT, there CANNOT be a gap in employment dates. Post-completion AT must be continuous.
• Post-completion AT must begin within 30 days of the program completion date. However, time authorized for Academic Training will begin counting the day after program completion.
• Special MBA Exchange  J-1 students are NOT eligible for AT. 
• Special Evening & Weekend MBA Exchange Program J-1 students may be approved on a case-by-case basis and should check with the EWMBA Exchange Program for approval.

• GENERAL for "Pre-doctoral" (Bachelor's/Master's, PhDs pre-completion) -AT is available for a total of 18 months or for a period equal to the length of the study program, whichever is shorter. 
• SPECIAL J-1 STEM Extension available for degree programs ending by December 21, 2024 - to allow possible 36 month maximum for Bachelor's/Masters STEM graduates with degrees on the STEM Designated Degree Program List . (Your specific degree code number is listed in the Subject/Field Code section of your DS-2019). See the DOS website announcement for details and FAQ. This J-1 STEM AT is available for a total of 36 months or for a period equal to the length of the study program, whichever is shorter. BIO will consider students eligible for the Extension if they are in a STEM field and are in Active J status (either in period of study or on post-completion AT) and completing by December 2024. BIO cannot guarantee the additional STEM AT since approval for the extension must be requested directly from the U.S. Dept of State. Only for programs ending by June 30, 2026.
• Doctoral Level (PhD, JSD, Dr.MPH)- AT may be authorized for a 36 month max total for the postdoctoral period, or for a period equal to the length of the study program, whichever is shorter. Pre-doctoral training (prior to degree completion) is limited to 18 months. Doctoral students may apply for the full 36 (or max) amount for post-completion AT as long as the academic advisor indicates AT will occur after degree completion.
• Total AT may be used pre or post completion. Example: If you qualify for 18 months of AT, and you use 6 months of pre-completion AT, you will only have 12 months remaining after completing your degree. 
• If you have have used any AT at another insitution or in a prior J-1 program, the amount used will be subtracted from your allowable total. Example: You used 12 months of post-competion AT after your Bachelor's degree. You continue in a J-1 Master's program. You have only 6 months available for either pre-or post-completion use. 

Length of Program/Maximum possible Length of AT 

• 1 academic year (Fall 20/Spring 21) programs are eligible for maximum of 9 months of AT
• 1.5 academic year programs (ie. Fall 20 /Spring 21 /Fall 21 ) = 16 months max AT
• 2 year programs (i.e Fall 20 /Spring 21 /Fall 21/ Spring 22) =  max AT 18 months or 20 Months for STEM or Doctoral students
• 2.5 year= (i.e Fall 20 /Spring 21 /Fall 21/ Spring 22/ Fall 22) = max AT 18 months or 27 months for STEM or Doctoral students
• 3 year= (i.e Fall 20 /Spring 21 /Fall 21/ Spring 22/ Fall 22/Spring 23)= max AT 18 months or 32 months for STEM or Doctoral students
• 3.5+ years= max AT 18 months or 36 months for STEM or Doctoral students

• One semester (Fall or Spring) students are allowed 4 months of Academic Training after the semester is completed.
• Two semester students (Fall and Spring) are eligible for a total of 9 months of Academic Training & may begin AT after completing one semester.
• Students who begin in the spring term and will continue to the Fall term may also use Academic Training to work off-campus during the summer between semesters or after completing the second (Fall) semester, not to exceed a total of 9 months.
• Total AT may be used pre or post completion. Example: If you qualify for 9 months of AT, and you use 2 months of pre-completion AT, you will only have 7 months remaining after completing your EAP program. 

1. Obtain Health Insurance that meets U.S. State Department J-1 requirements for yourself and ALL J-2 dependents for the duration of the J-1 program, including Academic Training. Failure to maintain sufficient health insurance will result in termination of the J-1/J-2 record.
2. Work with your academic adviser (college, department or faculty adviser) and complete the Academic Training Request Form. EAP Students should also check with their home institution to confirm that post-completion AT will not impact their home country program of study.
3. Submit Academic Training Request Form and the following attachments to Berkeley International Office at internationaloffice@berkeley.edu :
   • For post-completion AT only: Post-Completion Services Fee proof of payment: Attach credit/debit receipt. The Post-Completion Services Fee covers advising and support services provided for the duration of your AT period. Extensions past 18 months will incur a higher/additional fee.
     
     • AT 18 MONTHS or LESS: AT Post-completion Services Fee for original AT 18 months or less: $225.  (Click link to complete fee payment form). 
     • AT MORE THAN 18 MONTHS: AT Post-completion Services Fee for original AT of MORE than 18 months: $450.  (Click link to complete fee payment form). 
     • EXTENSIONS ONLY: If you originally applied for AT for 18 months or less and are now applying to extend BEYOND 18 months: $225.  (Click link to complete fee payment form).  
     • You must print your receipt/proof of payment and attach it to your AT DS-2019 Request form.
   • Provide a Verification Letter from your employer. Your employer must print and complete the Academic Training Template Letter (page 4 of the AT request form) on their company letterhead. We will only accept a properly completed template letter. AT applications without the Template Letter will be DENIED. All employment information on the letter (employer name, address, employment start and end dates, supervisor information) on the letter MUST match the information on the AT request form.
   • Proof of Funding: Post-completion AT applicants must show Financial documents showing at least $2,400/month* (undergraduate students) or $2,800/month* (graduate students). If your offer letter already shows this, then you do not need to submit additional funding documents. If applicable, include additional funding proof for dependents at $1,000/month for spouse and $1,000/month per child for the duration of your AT.
4. Your new DS-2019 Academic Training authorization and BIO Academic Training Verification Letter from Berkeley International Office will be emailed to you in 5 business days. The letter specifies information about your Academic Training authorization.

A copy of the DS-2019 with the AT annotation and the BIO Academic Training Verification Letter should be given to the employer, and can also be used to apply for a Social Security Number. For information on the Social Security Number application, see How to Apply for a Social Security Number

*Funding must cover the entire period from your current DS-2019 end date until the end of your Academic Training.

• Work must be primarily in-person. J-1s on Academic Training may work remotely no more than 40% of the time (e.g., two days out of five) 
• Students must report all work locations

 J-1 students and accompanying J-2 dependents must maintain specific health insurance coverage for the entirety of the stay in the U.S. in J status, inlcuding while on Academic Training, as required by the U.S. Department of State. Click J-1 Student Health Insurance Requirements to see complete information on the required level of health insurance. Failure to maintain health insurance is a serious violation of J status.

Unemployment for students with post-completion Academic Training authorization is not allowed. If termination of employment is necessary, consult with an Adviser at Berkeley International Office (before the employment termination date) to determine the best way to maintain legal status in the U.S.

In general, students are allowed a 30-day grace period from the last date of employment or the end of the AT authorization period (whichever comes first), to depart the U.S..

J-1 students may begin a full-time program of study while on Academic Training (AT). However, students who wish to stop working or need to extend/continue their student status in order to finish a new program should consider completing the UC Berkeley change of level process or transferring out to a new school before the end date of their Academic Training according to their situation.

Remember - If you continue your studies at a higher educational level as a J-1, the prior AT amount used will be subtracted from your allowable total at your new school. Example: You used 12 months of post-competion AT after your Bachelor's degree. You continue in a J-1 Master's program. You have only 6 months available for either pre-or post-completion use.  For some students it may be better to change status to F-1 if they plan to complete a new degree and wish for a longer post-completion work authorization period.

The following information must be reported to Berkeley International Office during the post-completion Academic Training period of authorization within 10 days of any changes:

• Your residential address
• Your work location(s)
• Your phone and email address
• Early end of Academic Training due to departing the US or changing to a new visa status
• You must submit a Final Evaluation for all employers at the end of your AT period

Report address, email, and phone updates in your CalCentral profile. Submit your Academic Training Final Evaluation through this online form. 

While on AT, you are required to keep your SEVIS record up-to-date and report certain information to maintain your J-1 status (see more details below). You will use BIO's online Student SEVIS Update (SSU) Hub to update your address and personal information, report early completion or changing your visa status, and to submit a Final Evaluation at the end of your AT. The information you enter into the SSU Hub will be stored and maintained by Berkeley International Office and is used only for reporting to SEVIS, as mandated by federal regulations.

Creating an SSU Hub Account
When accessing the SSU Hub for the first time, you'll need to "Create an account" using your Student ID Number, SEVIS ID Number (the N000... on the top of your DS-2019), and an email that you will continue to have access to. If using a Berkeley email, please make sure that you won't lose access to it (you can "claim" it here). You will be able to create your own password. Please retain this for future logins.

For future logins, you'll need your Student ID number, SEVIS ID number, and the password you created. If you need to re-set your password, you can do so yourself (the password re-set information will be sent to the email address that you originally used to sign up).

If you have trouble accessing SSU, please email seviscoordinator@berkeley.edu

ALL employers require AT authorization. If your current employment is terminated and you are considering another work experience in the U.S., the new job must meet ALL AT eleigiblity requirements. You must submit a new and fully completed AT request to Berkeley International Office before beginning work at the new job. Application instructions are exactly the same as when the you originally applied for the initial Academic Training work authorization. Note: There cannot be a gap in post-completion AT employment dates. Employment must be continuous. Example: if you end with employer A on Jan. 1, 2020, your start date with Employer B must either be before that date or the very next day Jan. 2, 2020.

If you're departing the US

Log into SSU Hub.  Scroll to the bottom and click Report Early End of OPT/Academic Training.  Select your reason for ending employment early.   Next, return to the SSU Hub home page.  Click J-1 Academic Training Final Evaluation to submit a final evaluation of your Academic Training experience. This is a short online form.

If you're changing visa status

Log into SSU Hub.  Scroll to the bottom and click Report Early End of OPT/Academic Training.  Select your reason for ending employment early. You'll be prompted to upload evidence of your change of status (most commonly, a Form I-797A approval notice).  Next, return to the SSU Hub home page.  Click J-1 Academic Training Final Evaluation to submit a final evaluation of your Academic Training experience. This is a short online form.

If you're transferring to a new school

Log into SSU Hub.  Scroll to the bottom and click J-1 Academic Training Final Evaluation to submit a final evaluation of your Academic Training experience. This is a short online form.  J-1 transfer outs are rare and often complex.  In addition, J-1 students may begin a new full-time program of study while on Academic Training (AT) in some cases. Be sure to read about this topic on our website and then talk with a BIO advisor about this process. 

If you're beginning a new program of study at UC Berkeley 

Log into SSU Hub.  Scroll to the bottom and click J-1 Academic Training Final Evaluation to submit a final evaluation of your Academic Training experience. This is a short online form.  Next, see our information on change of level to learn how to obtain an updated DS-2019.   J-1 students may begin a new full-time program of study while on Academic Training (AT) in some cases; please talk with a BIO advisor about this.

Readmission to the U.S. as a J-1 student on Academic Training is at the discretion of the Customs and Border Patrol officer at the U.S. port of entry.  In general, a J-1 student on Academic Training who travels outside the U.S. temporarily (i.e., less than 5 months) can be readmitted to resume employment for the remainder of the period authorized on his or her work permit issued by the Berkeley International Office, provided the student presents the following:

• A valid passport with valid J-1 visa stamp the day of entry 
• Form DS-2019, endorsed by Berkeley International Office within the preceding 12 months (10 months recommended)
• Proof of employment (or employment offer), usually in the form of a letter from your employer on official letterhead business stationery. 

If you are traveling abroad and the J-1 visa in your passport has expired, you must obtain a new one before re-entering the U.S.  Students who need to apply for a new visa should consult Berkeley International Office prior to travel to discuss the visa application process and possible risks. General information may be found on our Applying for a Visa page.

If you are planning to transfer to a new school or program after completing your Academic Training (see below), you must obtain a visa with the name of your new school noted on it before entering or re-entering the U.S. even if your J-1 visa has not yet expired. You will need the DS-2019 from your new school in order to apply for the new visa. Note that transfer is complex for J-1s and is not common.

J-1 students must leave the U.S. no more than 30 days after the end of their DS-2019 end date. After departure from the U.S., students may NOT re-enter using their J-1 visa and DS-2019 documents.

Students who wish to return to the school that recommended their AT will need to request a new DS-2019 for a "change of level." Please contact Berkeley International Office to speak with an International Student Advisor for information about this process. Changes of level for J-1s are only available for higher level degrees. EAP students may not change level within the United States.

Students who have been admitted to a new school (different from the school that recommended AT), will need to apply for a transfer of their J-1 status to the new school. This requires the "release" of a student's electronic SEVIS record to the new school in order for a new DS-2019 to be issued. For complete instructions, see Transfer from UC Berkeley.

Please Note: The J-1 transfer process requires close coordination between the current and new school. Advisers at both of these schools should be consulted early (before the AT expires) in order for the process to happen smoothly. J-1s may only transfer to complete a program at the same level, or at a higher level. Generally, EAP students do not qualify for transfer. Check with your BIO Adviser if you are considering transfer.

Students who want to change their visa status (to an F-1 student visa or other) should speak with an International Student Adviser at Berkeley International Office. This may require traveling out of the U.S. or a lengthy application process. Students are encouraged to plan well in advance.

The H-1B Visa

The H‑1B status permits temporary employment (up to 6 years) in the U.S. for people who have a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in the same or a related field as the job offered. The position offered must require professional-level skills and pay at least the minimum salary (called prevailing wage) as defined by the government. The employer must submit a petition to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) for approval of the H-1B position. 

One of the first issues that will come up if you are offered an H-1B position is whether or not you are subject to the Two Year Home Country Physcial Presence Requirement. If you are subject to this rule, you must return to your country of last legal residence for two years or obtain a waiver of this requirement before you are eligible for the H-1B.

Not all J-1s are subject to this 2-year requirement. If you are, applying for a waiver is a lengthy process and the timing is tricky. If you have a question about whether you are subject, or how and when to apply for a waiver, attend one of our workshops on the subject and then make an appointment to speak with an advisor at Berkeley International Office if you have further questions.

Certain J-1 Exchange Visitors are subject to a two-year home country physical presence requirement. J-1 visitors "subject" to this rule must return to their country of last legal residence for two years or obtain a waiver of this requirement before they are eligible for the H (temporary employment), L (intracompany transfer), K (fiance) or Permanent Residence (Green Card) categories. Click Two-Year Physical Presence Requirement to see more information.